Roasted Golden Beets

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Golden beets are sweet and earthy just like red beets, but prepping them is a little less messy thanks to their mellower golden color. Roasting beets enhances their sweetness, but we give their flavor a boost with just a touch of honey. This golden beet side dish works well with roasted chicken or pork. You can easily jazz them up by topping them with crumbled goat cheese or blue cheese and a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs.

a recipe photo of the Roasted Golden Beets
Photo:

Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek

Active Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
4

Nutrition Notes

Are Golden Beets Healthier Than Red Beets?

The only thing that separates golden beets from red beets is their color. Ounce for ounce, golden beets and red beets are virtually identical nutrition-wise. Both offer fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Thanks to the nitrates in beets, eating them has been shown to help lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of stroke. Beets are also high in antioxidants called betalains. Red beets contain betalains called betacyanins, which give them their dark red and purple color, and yellow beets contain betalains called betaxanthins, which give them their deep golden hue. Betalains have been shown to help calm inflammation, which in turn, reduces the risk of chronic disease, including cancer and heart disease.

Is This Recipe Vegan?

Since we use honey in this recipe, it is not considered vegan. If you want to make this dish vegan, you could swap the honey for an equal amount of agave syrup or maple syrup—or leave the sweetener out. Just know that the flavor profile will change some.

Tips from the Test Kitchen

How Do You Prepare Golden Beets for Roasting?

When shopping for golden beets, look for ones that are firm to the touch, without cuts or dents in the skin. If the beet greens are still attached, look for leaves that are bright in color and crisp. Cut off the beet greens and reserve them for other recipes. Gently scrub the beets with a vegetable brush under cold water to remove dirt and debris. Dry the beets with a towel to remove excess moisture. Trim off the taproot (the long, thin root hanging from the bottom of the beet), peel the beets with a vegetable peeler and cut them into 1-inch pieces.

Can I Use Dried Thyme Instead of Fresh?

Yes, if you don’t have fresh thyme on hand, you can use 1 teaspoon of dried thyme instead.

What Can I Serve with Roasted Golden Beets?

Serve roasted golden beets as a side dish with roasted chicken, pan-seared salmon, grilled steak or roasted pork. For a vegetarian meal, try topping the roasted beets with crumbled goat cheese or blue cheese and a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs, and serve alongside pasta, risotto or baked potatoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do Golden Beets Taste Like?

Golden beets have an earthy, sweet flavor that’s milder than red beets, which may taste bitter to some depending on the variety. Roasting is the perfect cooking method to enhance the natural sweetness of golden beets.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. and Jan Valdez

the ingredients to make the Roasted Golden Beets

Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek

Ingredients

  • 4 medium golden beets, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon honey

  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

  • 1 medium clove garlic, finely chopped

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil. Toss beets with oil, honey, thyme, garlic, pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a large bowl until evenly coated. Spread in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.

    step 1 in making the Roasted Golden Beets

    Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek

  2. Roast until deep golden brown and fork-tender, 35 to 40 minutes, stirring about every 10 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt.

    step 2 in making the Roasted Golden Beets

    Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek

EatingWell.com, December 2023

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

99 Calories
4g Fat
16g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size about 1 cup
Calories 99
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 13g
Protein 2g 4%
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Vitamin A 4µg
Vitamin C 6mg 7%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 1mg 4%
Folate 115µg
Vitamin K 3µg
Sodium 224mg 10%
Calcium 24mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%
Magnesium 29mg 7%
Potassium 385mg 8%
Zinc 0mg 4%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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